Faery Weddings by Beverley Jo

Author:Beverley, Jo [Beverley, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Jo Beverley
Published: 2015-07-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Drew rode out the next day to the bishop for a license, and the day after they were wed in St. Winifred's church. Mrs. Forsythe remarked at how little fuss they were making over it, but seemed relieved that nothing was expected of her. The Hall staff produced a handsome dinner, and the villagers enjoyed a grand party.

Drew got drunk.

Since he wouldn't stop drinking, Gwen left him well into his second bottle, put on a warm cloak and headed for the woods. For a while she could hear the merry singing from the village and see the sparks from the roaring bonfire. It was good, she supposed, that someone was happy tonight.

Then she was in the silence of the leafless woods, in the woods that were not the woods. She stood and waited.

Her father came for her. "We're having a party too. Come and celebrate."

Gwen fell into his arms and wept.

When she recovered he sat them both down against a tree, she in his arms. "Now, child, what's the matter?"

"He hates me!"

Her father looked at her in puzzlement. "How can he? You are beautiful."

"Beauty isn't everything. He loves a girl called Cecily Baraclough, and he hates me for taking away his chance of happiness with her." She turned to him seriously. "I've thought of a way out. When I've given him a son, can I come and live with you, then Drew will be able to marry Cecily?"

"Ah, child, I doubt he'd want that."

"He would. He'd be betrothed to her now if I hadn't turned his wits."

"And how did you do that?"

"You know how." She pulled out of his arms and blew her nose. "He'd never have kissed me like that at the ball if it hadn't been for the pearl, and the herbs, and the perfume."

"I don't know what happened at any ball. We don't have that long a sight. How many men kissed you at the ball?"

Gwen looked at him in bewilderment. "Only Drew."

"Then how can it all have been the pearl, and the herbs, and the perfume?"

"He wouldn't have kissed me without them."

"Can you be sure?"

"It only works when I'm close to him."

"Perhaps."

"What are you saying?"

He laughed. "Oh, you humans. Did you not want to kiss him? You may long for him, but when you are close, do you not long for him more, long to touch him, to join your body with his?"

Gwen shivered. "Yes."

"We've put no glamour on him for you."

"But I love him."

"Then perhaps the glamour for him is love, too."

"Love? What of the pearl?" she demanded.

"What pearl?"

"The pearl you sent me in London."

"I sent no pearl." He appeared honest.

"But.... What are you saying?"

He stood and drew her to her feet. "I am saying that for you humans love is itself a special kind of magic, and one humankind understand too poorly for safety. We can augment it with our skills, but not overpower it. If Andrew Elphinson had loved Cecily Baraclough no power of ours would have turned him from her. You were made for one another, yes, and words were said over your cradle, but that was long ago.

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